ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PROSECCO DOCG
Prosecco is a wine coming from a slightly aromatic grape variety called Glera.
It has been grown between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene hills, at an altitude that
varies between 50 and 500 meters above sea level, for about three centuries.
Thanks to local producers who first believed in this variety, the Wine School and the
Experimental Institute for Viticulture, the first constitution of the Consortium in 1962, the
DOC Conegliano - Valdobbiadene in 1969 and the DOCG Conegliano - Valdobbiadene
in 2009, we can define the “Conegliano - Valdobbiadene area” as the land of Prosecco
DOCG.
In order to ensure quality and protection for the consumers, the DOCG Conegliano Valdobbiadene provides strict wine-making and wine-growing rules.
The area DOCG Conegliano - Valdobbiadene is the historic area where Glera grapes
have been grown for centuries. It is located at the foot of Treviso's Pre-Alps about 50 km
from Venice and 60 Km from the Dolomites and it runs between the towns of Conegliano
and Valdobbiadene. It includes fifteen municipalities among the hills and the total planted
area is 4.800 Ha (pic below).
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Origin of the grapes : only the 15 municipalities in the DOCG Conegliano Valdobbiadene.
Grape varieties : at least 85% must consist of Glera while a a maximum percentage of
15 % of Verdiso , Perera, Bianchetta Treviso and Glera Long is accepted.
Winemaking: It is exclusively allowed in the municipalities of Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG area. The vinification take place in steel tanks at a controlled
temperature (18-20 ° C) for a period ranging between 15 and 20 days.
Before being sold to the market Prosecco DOCG must pass the examination of the
tasting commission of the Chamber of Commerce of Treviso.
The sensory and organoleptic characteristics of Prosecco DOCG Conegliano Valdobbiadene are well known: aromas of fruit, especially apple, pear and banana, floral
scents such as hawthorn, acacia, rose and wisteria; moderate alcohol and good
freshness.
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TYPES OF PROSECCO
Spumante (Sparkling wine) is the Prosecco DOCG most produced and best known
variety (82 % of total). The sparkling production follows the Charmat method that
involves the use of large seal tanks refrigerated with pressure, called autoclaves.
The foam for the Spumante originates by assembling the cuvee, sugar and yeasts. The
wine then goes into an autoclave for the second fermentation developing carbon dioxide
(bubbles), alcohol and typical aromas (perfumes).
The varieties of Prosecco Spumante DOCG Conegliano - Valdobbiadene are: Brut (<15
g/l of residual sugar), Extra Dry (12-20 g/l) and Dry (17-35 g/l).
The types of Prosecco DOCG Conegliano - Valdobbiadene are: “Tranquillo” (Still),
Frizzante (Sparkling), Passito (Raisin), Sur Lie (with left over).
The substantial difference between Spumante and Frizzante is the pressure and
consequently the amount of bubbles. In Spumante is at least 3.5 Bar, while in Frizzante
is maximum 3 Bar. Other differences are the timing of foaming (lower in Frizzy) and the
capping: Spumante always has the capsule while Frizzante can only present the cage or
a twine binding.
Prosecco Denominations
D.O.C.G. = Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin
D.O.C. = Denomination of Controlled Origin
I.G.T. = Geographic Typical Indication
V.S.Q. = Quality Spumante Wine
V.S.Q.A. = Quality Aromantic Spumante Wine
V.S.Q.P.R.D. = Quality Spumante Wine Produced in Determined Region.
Prosecco Vocabulary:
Cartize = micro- area (only 104 Ha!) Located in the municipality of San Pietro di
Barbozza within the larger Conegliano – Valdobbiadene. From grapes harvested in this
area we get Spumante Conegliano - Valdobbiadene Superiore of Cartizze.
Millesimato = Spumante produced with at least 85% of the wine of the year indicated on
the label.
Superiore = adjective that can only be used in the labeling of Spumante DOCG
Conegliano - Vadobbiadene.
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Rive = naming that can be used on the label if followed by the name of the City, Town or
district. Riva means slope. F.i. Rive di Conegliano.
Sur Lie = it literally means “on the yeasts”. Prosecco can be defined Sur Lie if referments in the bottle (this is the oldest and most traditional version).
Cuvèe = Assembly of wines.
Legatura a Spago (binding twine) = it is a type of closure with a suitably tied twine. It
has the function to keep the cork in the correct position so as not to lose pressure.
Charmat = Martinotti sparkling wine-making method where the second fermentation
takes place in autoclaves (pressure-tight tanks ) . Typical for Prosecco.
Champènoise = Classic or traditional sparkling wine-making method, where the second
fermentation takes place in the bottle. Typical for Champagne.
The transition from Doc Conegliano - Valdobbiadene DOCG Conegliano Valdobbiadene in 2009:
To ensure higher quality and supply chain control, protect the historic area and the name
Prosecco now known all over the world, it was decided with enormous efforts and
negotiations to demarcate the zone of production of Prosecco to a specific area.
Outside of this area, it is not allowed to label the bottles including the word Prosecco!
In this way it was necessary to raise the historic area Conegliano - Valdobbiadene to
DOCG (DOC already since 1969) and instead to extend the DOC area to a larger
territory by cancelling all denominations GT that could use on the label the word
Prosecco.
The area involved in the production of Prosecco DOC includes all the provinces of Friuli
Venezia Giulia and Veneto Provinces of Treviso, Belluno, Venice, Padua and Vicenza.
In this case, the producing company can specify its province of origin on the label. For
example Prosecco DOC Treviso, if the wine is produced in the province of Treviso.
NORMS
For both Prosecco DOCG and DOC, the use of the State Mark is mandatory: yellow for
DOCG, green for DOC.
Only glass bottles are allowed.
Derogation for screw cap only for DOC bottle up to 0.375 lt.
Derogation for the crown cap only for DOC.
EVVIVA!!!!!
Miro Pianca
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